Pictorials

Music Releases

Ashida Mana to continue her singing career with a 2nd single in May

On March 15th, it was revealed that child actress Ashida Mana (7) is going to release her second single called "Zutto Zutto Tomodachi" in May.

Last year the adorable young actress made her singing debut together with fellow child actor Suzuki Fuku (7). Their single "Maru-Maru-Mori-Mori!" sold over 533,000 copies, and ranked eighth on the Oricon weekly charts. Moreover she became the youngest person ever to perform at NHK's annual music show "Kouhaku Uta Gassen".

Ashida's solo debut with the single "Suteki na Nichiyobi ~Gyu Gyu good day!~" (fourth place on Oricon) in October of last year was a great success as well. Now, seven months later, she's preparing her second single "Zutto Zutto Tomodachi", which also will be used as the ending song for the upcoming TV anime 'Jewelpet Kira Deco!' (first episode airs on April 7th) as well as the theme song for the upcoming anime movie "Jewelpet the Movie: Sweets Dance Princess" (opens on August 11th). The former will also use the single's coupling song "Happy Lucky ☆ Go!" as its opening theme.

The 'Jewelpet' series is very popular among girls of Ashida's age. Moreover she, herself, is said to be a big fan of the series and was very happy when she received the offer to sing the theme song. The recording for the new songs took place recently, and the young actress was said to be brimming with energy. "It became such a nice and feel-good song," she commented. "I hope that everyone will sing along with it. Please continue to look over me!"

"Zutto Zutto Tomodachi" will be hitting the store shelves on May 16th.